Fission engines

[MoneyLovinOgre4Hire]

Are there any canon units that use these?

[Sartris]

the only one i know of

http://masterunitlist.info/Unit/Details/5776/condor-heavy-hover-tank-fission

[Weirdo]

You'll mostly find them in support vees, in Vehicle Annex.

[Korzon77]

Note that a big issue with fission engines is that while they're technically less advanced than fusion, they require a much bigger "tail" in terms of production--Ie, a supply of fissionable material, with all that implies. 

[MoneyLovinOgre4Hire]

And when they're damaged, the crew and everyone in a quarter-mile dies of cancer.

[jklantern]

And when they're damaged, the crew and everyone in a quarter-mile dies of cancer.

"Welcome to the Quickscell Deathtrap Emporium!  Can I interest you an offering from our line of Fission Powered Vehicles?"

[Sartris]

"Welcome to the Quickscell Deathtrap Emporium!  Can I interest you an offering from our line of Fission Powered Vehicles?"

what's the line? your equipment was made by the lowest bidder?

[jklantern]

what's the line? your equipment was made by the lowest bidder?

Found the relevant 8-Bit Theater Quote!


"Personally, I'd sooner trust the Deathtrap that's honest about its nature."

[Col Toda]

As aforementioned very few . From what I understand a Large Fusion power plant has a detectable signature and therefore a hidden base tends to use fissiin . Out of cannon I explored its use for Asteroid belt small craft and drop ships in Tauren Space but that is about it . As less than a handful of Canon or even non canon examples , that without  an overriding reason such os powering a hidden base very little designs goes past the theoretical design stages . I wish I had more for you . 

[Giovanni Blasini]

As aforementioned very few . From what I understand a Large Fusion power plant has a detectable signature and therefore a hidden base tends to use fissiin . Out of cannon I explored its use for Asteroid belt small craft and drop ships in Tauren Space but that is about it . As less than a handful of Canon or even non canon examples , that without  an overriding reason such os powering a hidden base very little designs goes past the theoretical design stages . I wish I had more for you .

In the real world, fission reactors give off notable amounts of neutrinos, and would be detectable the same way as large fusion powerplants.  There's even been discussion about using neutrino detectors to find hidden fission plants in the real world.

[Charistoph]

And, interestingly enough, much of the materials tech that would allow for a profitable fusion reactor like we see in Battletech would likely be usable in Fission generators if anyone thought to apply them there. 

[Sandslice]

As aforementioned very few . From what I understand a Large Fusion power plant has a detectable signature and therefore a hidden base tends to use fissiin . Out of cannon I explored its use for Asteroid belt small craft and drop ships in Tauren Space but that is about it . As less than a handful of Canon or even non canon examples , that without  an overriding reason such os powering a hidden base very little designs goes past the theoretical design stages . I wish I had more for you .

The main reasons why fission (NFE) isn't common in combat equipment are:

1.  Mass.  The NFE is the second heaviest engine type for 'Mechs (+75%; compare ICE's +100%), and strictly the heaviest for vees (still +75% of a vee SFE, or +162.5% of a 'Mech SFE!) 
2.  Cost.  Despite the significant tonnage malus, the NFE costs +50% of an SFE within the FASAnomics-inspired construction cost rules. 
3.  Risk to the operator(s).

So in the case of the Taurians, when they're exploring it, it's mainly due to the logistical advantage of producing them locally; given their drawbacks otherwise, they're a hard sell to Quikscell.

(Also... Tauren space.  You just filled my head with silly ideas.)